2015 Day 1 Fantastic First Day San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Distance 81.7 

Moving Time 5:37

Elevation 4,659ft

Avg Speed 14.6mi/h

Max Speed 36.0mi/h

Heart Rate Avg 129bpm Max 158bpm

Calories 2,600

Temperature  64

Wakeup Time: 3:15 a.m. / Meet Time: 4:30 a.m. / Ride-out Time: 6:30 a.m.

First I have to thank my wonderful husband, John for waking up early Day 0 and Day 1 to drop Christine and me for registration and joining us for the Opening Ceremonies.

Christine proclaiming that she will cycle at a much slower pace to enjoy the ride.

I'm going to miss my husband.

John Spence gets a goodbye kiss

The Opening Ceremonies were very touching, reminding us of why we raise funds and ride - to fight HIV/AIDS so we no longer need to do this ride. We learned that we raised $16,300,913. 

This video is the exciting announcement of our fundraising efforts!

I think Brigette is convincing Jeff that he should do the ride together next year, while his brother ignores the request.

Diana F-W our enthusiastic Virtual Cyclist.

After learning about the money we raised and the route was open, we rushed out to our bikes - frenetic fun. 

In the brisk morning out of the Cow Palace we headed towards the coast via Brotherhood Way around Lake Merced and onto John Muir Drive. Since the water stop was at mile 6.7, I decided to skip this stop since my water and electrolytes were enough to get me to our first rest stop at mile 15.5 in Pacifica.

The following are pretty much the steps I'll TRY to follow at each rest stop:

1. Park my bike
2. Helmet off
3. Glasses and gloves off and into helmet
4. Hang helmet on handle bars
5. Grab water and electrolyte bottles
6. Walk away, take many steps towards the ... oh, wait, where did I park my bike?
7. Go back take a picture of where I parked
8. Use porta potty
9. Open alcohol wipes, wipe hands, throw wipe away, use and sanitizer (Why? After doing 1 or 2 in #8, all of us should use the wipes thoroughly so that when we use the hand sanitizer pump we're not contaminating the pump - defeating the purpose of avoiding spreading unwanted germs)
10. Go to Medical Tent
11. Repeat #9 because the medical staff didn't see you sanitize your hands
12. Cute Medical Roadie asks what I need. Sunscreen and chamois butter (can't forget Butt Butt'r)
13. Repeat #9 because I'm headed to the snack line. An orange and banana are all I need and Salt n Vinegar chips.
14. Take pictures and mingle (but not too long)
15. Fill bottles with water (add Nuun, my chosen electrolyte tablet to one bottle)
16. Head back to my bike
17. Bottles back in cages
18. Helmet on
19. Gloves on

This video is to entice our boys, nephews and nieces, cousins and friends' teens 

to consider joining AIDS/LifeCycle when they turn 18 :)

The giraffe poses

More Rest Stop 1 animals providing snacks to human riders

Now that steps 1 - 19 are completed, I'm off to mile 31.5. This year we got a special treat of a route change taking Highway 1 all the way to Santa Cruz. The scenic route and views were spectacular. Being able to focus on the now and appreciate our California coast was such a delight. 

I don't think I've ever traveled down Highway 1 from the Bay Area even as a kid.

Chris (ALC Photos) Stewart, thanks so much for a great shot!

Rest Stop 2 selfies.

With TJ

With Neel, TRL, SB Bike Fitter

Not a selfie. It's Pepe

With Dean looking for his future husband

Is he in this crowd?

Off to mile 42.3 for lunch at San Gregorio Beach.

The Amazing Alluring Affable Julie Brown

And, the hill we get to climb right after lunch. Can someone move the porta potties so I can get a better shot?

I remember last year dreading the climb after lunch, but I surprised myself. It wasn't a struggle. So on my merry way to mile 63.1 to Rest Stop 3 in Greyhound Rock. I'm repeating myself -- the ride and taking in the California Coast was absolutely breathtaking. I cherished the time to ponder everything from, am I really doing this again to I love what Mother Nature offers.

So happy to bump into Vincent, so cute :)

Rest Stop 3 shenanigans

SEE

I was ladybug to Buck. My In Memory of / Support of cape billowed and made me look like a ladybug from behind.
I replied, "ManBug."

And the memorable Tom Frady - multiple ALC rides

Joe from the East Bay - second year for both of us

What, more miles?! Onward to mile 76.3 to see what Rest Stop 4 in Wilder Ranch State Park has to offer. Oh, pretend women golfers.

Before I pose with these, ahem, beauties, I pause to have the cape captured.

The only thing I know to do with a golf club.

Wow, only 5.7 more miles to camp. Now that's they way to entice us to ride a bit quicker to mile 82 for a hot shower, food and more food. I was number 249 coming into camp.

A reminder where to come back to the next morning.

I swear that Billy is not the reason that Nuun is my electrolyte of choice.

Our wonderful Truck E Gear Roadies #RoadiesRock
Ashley, Sandi and A.K. (Kristina)

Yes, please. I'll take everything

Flintstone motiff

I think James, Matt and Christine are on their seconds as I stroll-in.

I'm not sure how much David has already eaten.

And Eli announces Christine rode in #15

Perfect Tentmates

Taking a selfie of Tanner's selfie

We heard from Air Force Captain Anthony Interrante, #4 fundraiser about what inspired him to ride. I hope I can find a video clip. He's funny and wonderful.

Good night!

For more pictures, please visit

Art's AIDS/LifeCycle Journey 2015 ALC Day 1 on Facebook 

(you don't need a Facebook account to view)

Thank you for supporting AIDS/LifeCycle 2015

We ride out in less than 2 days. Thanks so much to supporters for my riding in ‪#‎AIDSLifeCycle‬ 2015. I'll be riding with 195 of you especially on Day 4, June 3. Each ribbon on this white tutu represents YOU - your name is written on a ribbon!

On Day 4, June 3, 2015, I will wear this white tutu in honor of Edna Flores-Lagunte.


















And, yes, there is still time to give:
http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/2015artdesuyo

Your support makes a real difference in the fight against HIV and moves us closer to ending the epidemic once and for all.

Special appreciation to Top Donors

Cindy Gonzales & The San Francisco Foundation

Clinton Yara & Brett Geist

James Grayson & Sele Jenine

Frank Woo

G & S & The Pacific Foundation Services LLCS

Anonymous

Mark Hodgson

Barry & Marie Lipman

Marti Nemer

Sean Nhan & AAA

Eric Perino

Kim Roper

The Schows

Brian Simmons

The Whitaker Family

Team Craig - Marie Chandoha

In Memory / Support

I will wear this cape on on AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) Day 1. The cape has names of those shared with me to honor memories or in support of those living.  

In Support of

Sandro

John Paul Kozicki III

In Memory of

Ray Bitanga

Donald Brown

Cesar Casado

Kevin Cortez

Bert Estillo

Skyler Foxx

Emili Galeazzi

Gary Geibel

Whoa Gerry

Dennis Gould

Carl Greene

Carl Greene

Ramon Hodel

Larry Hunter

Toshi Irizawa

Doug Kimball

Matthew Langley

Robert Mashburn

Michael Messerschmitt

Robert Mitchell

Patrick O’Malley

Sonny Padilla

Bobby Purcell

Reynaldo Ramirez

Alex Reyes

Daniel Roberts

Mike Sieczkarek

Johnny Simon

Douglas Yaranon

Tony Yuen

and

Craig Wakefield Nauman

who left us unexpectedly Thursday, April 09, 2015.

and

Edna Flores-Lagunte

Richard Lagunte, Edna's husband and Deanna Dee Dee Tanner, a dear friend created Team Edna for ALC 2015.

Even many of those who rode 2014 and 2015 were not aware of the why and who.

All who knew Edna were sad when the wonderful 7-day 545-mile adventure in 2014 ended, but we were more saddened and ladened with heavy hearts when on June 4, 2014 (Day 4), our fellow-cyclist Edna from San Francisco suffered a cardiac event while cycling. Her loving husband Richard was riding with her when it happened. Edna passed away the following Sunday morning. She died doing what she loved most -- cycling in ALC, the highlight of the year for her. As her husband Rich shared, “to no surprise, her last act was to give the gift of life to others as an organ donor.” 2014 was Edna's 13th year as a participant in ALC, an event she loved deeply. She was a proud Training Ride Leader and helped prepare thousands of people in Northern California for the event. She has made an INCREDIBLE difference in the ALC community, and she will be greatly missed.

ALC 2015 was very emotional and healing, especially for Richard. One of the reasons for creating Team Edna, as our team page shares, "We are open to all who hold Edna close to their hearts and are willing to spread laughter and love to others as she did. We continue the battle she dedicated her life to, the fight against HIV/AIDS. We support and encourage each other as well as all members of the ALC family."

For all the reasons I chose to join ALC in January 2014, to support those in need and have lost loved ones to AIDS, I have vowed to ride AIDS/LifeCycle year-after-year to include honoring Edna Flores-Lagunte for as long as I am able.

East Bay Wildcats Celebration Ride and Party

Distance 21.4
Moving Time 2:12:32
Elevation 1,949ft
Avg Speed 9.7mi/h
Max Speed 36.0mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 135bpm Max 158bpm
Calories 735
Temperature 59

Wakeup Time: 7:00 a.m. / Meet Time: 10:00 a.m. / Ride-out Time: 10:45 a.m.

Thank you AIDS/LifeCycle volunteer Training Ride Leaders Mary Vencill, Sam Kimbrel, George Head, and Deanna Tanner

Great fun

Your support to AIDS/LifeCycle makes a real difference in the fight against HIV and moves us closer to ending the epidemic once and for all.

So here is Alysse's shameless fundraising tactic. With only $29,639.56 raised, on today's last East Bay Wildcats training ride, you get only Alysse's shoes. She IS feisty and won't show up on Day 5 if Art doesn't raise at least $35K (just like last year). She EVEN forced Art to change a flat tire in her heels this morning.

So please give generously: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/2015artdesuyo

One option to donate is spreading the amount over 10 months: $15 to $100 a month could easily be the $150 to $1000 donation that you always wished you could give to AIDS/LifeCycle - your wish has been granted.

 

And, then the party with lots and lots for food, especially Mary's oh-so-excellent mac n cheese.